O’Brien’s Star shining brightly
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of the John Oxx-trained, Murtagh-ridden Alanza, which came from well off the pace and, running on in eye-catching style, threatened to edge past longtime leader Moonlit Garden for second place in the closing stages.
Murtagh, however, didn’t ride the filly out in the last fifty yards, which resulted in Moonlit Garden holding second place by a half-length. In the subsequent enquiry, Murtagh explained that Alanza, off the track since last September, was unsuited by the lack of pace and hit a flat spot when the tempo increased before staying on in the closing stages.
He also suggested that the filly would be better suited by seven furlongs, or a strongly-run six, an opinion shared by trainer Oxx. Following lengthy deliberations, the Stewards accepted the explanation, with the exception of Murtagh’s explanation for his riding in the last hundred metres. They decided that Murtagh had “deliberately eased his mount before the winning-post without good reason” and, under Rule 212 a(iii), suspended him for one race day.
Back on the track, Tenth Star, which Aidan O’Brien trains for the Niarchos family, proved the star — romping to a four lengths win over the Jim Bolger-trained pair Whip Rule and Snowflake Dancer in the three-runner Golden Fleece 2-Y-0 Stakes, a listed event over seven furlongs.
Star was opening his account at the third attempt, under a confident ride by Joseph O’Brien, who later commented: “It’s easy to win on those horses. He’s a nice horse and has improved with every run. Hopefully, he’ll get a mile in time.”
The Ballydoyle double had been initiated when Devotion was produced with a storming late challenge to foil 33/1 shot Sophies Echo in the two-year-old fillies maiden, which saw less than three lengths covering the five runners. The Dylan Thomas filly was ridden by Seamus Heffernan, confirmed yesterday morning as So You Think’s partner in tomorrow’s Coral Eclipse Stakes in Sandown.
In the absence of the winning trainer, Heffernan explained: “I was told to ride her differently today — Colm made the running on her last time. She’s a big, scopey filly and should continue to improve. She stays well.”
Steps To Freedom, winner of a Grade 2 bumper in Aintree for Gordon Elliott before disappointing at the Punchestown Festival, impressed when making a successful debut for his new trainer Jessica Harrington in the concluding RSM Farrell Grant Sparks Race.
Ridden by Kate Harrington, the strapping Statue Of Liberty gelding quickened into the lead with less than two furlongs to race and stayed on strongly to beat market-rival Johnny McGeeney readily by two and a half lengths.
Jessica Harrington declared: “I’m delighted and thankful to Sean and Betty (Hussey) for letting Kate ride him. I told her she wouldn’t ride many easier winners than this fellow.”
She added: “Gordon has done all the hard work with this horse. He went to Con Power’s to do some schooling and arrived with us about six weeks ago. He’s a lovely horse, with a bit of class, and might stay on the flat for the moment We’ll see what the handicapper thinks of him. He likes a sound surface and won’t run through the winter. He jumps very well.”
Apprentice Shane Foley, who lost his claim at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, struck again when Marvada wore down front-running Moonlit Garden in the opening jogforjockeys.ie Fillies Race, after which Johnny Murtagh found himself in hot water with the Stewards.
Marvada was another winner for in-form trainer Ken Condon, who explained: “We took the risk running her again so soon after the Curragh. She’s due a rest now, before coming back and having a crack at some black type in either listed or Group 3 company.
“Pat (Smullen) is excellent from the front, so I was worried when he was able to dictate the pace on Moonlit Garden. But Shane gave our filly a smashing ride. It would have suited her if they had gone a lot faster.”
Next week’s July Sales in Newmarket is the next stop for the Jim Bolger-trained Global Recovery following his 20/1 success in the C.R.O.S.S. Charity Handicap. The home-bred El Corredor gelding, in the colours of the trainer’s wife Jackie, was close to the pace throughout and stayed on strongly up the straight to beat Gargano by two lengths, proving Rory Cleary with his second win for his new boss.
